Not everyone is lucky to have known their great-grandparents, but I was, even if it was only for a short amount of time. Sometimes when I think about it, I still can’t grasp the fact that it has been almost 20 years since my great- grandma passed away. Almost twenty years ago, she left behind two children, seven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren, three of whom she would never get the chance to meet, and joined her husband in heaven.

With Christmas less than two weeks away, I find myself thinking about her more than I normally do. Even though my time with her was short, there are quite a few things that I remember about her, and many of them were kept alive in my mind thanks to my grandparents, my parents, and my aunts and uncles. I may not be able to vividly remember every single memory of her, but I know that there are things I have to thank her for, so here we go.

Thank you for showing me the importance of family. I can still recall some of our family holiday dinners together where you would always emphasize how important it was that we were all sharing a meal together and how we had to say thank you to the Lord that we were all able to be sitting around the same table together. And still remember you emphasizing many times that my family is good to me and I need them in my life. I know now more than ever that you were right.

Thank you for inspiring my love for food. I'll never forget mom telling me how you were feeding me mashed potatoes way before I was allowed to eat normal food. I can recall some of the times when you could come to my house and we would make lunch; I’d watch you make chicken noodle soup. I even recall one time at dinner when you let me mash the potatoes. It was thanks to you and grandma that I grew up loving food. And even though I may not cook as much as I’d like to, when I do I think about you and how watching you inspired me.

Thank you for showing me how to bake. I remember making cookies in the kitchen with you when I was four-years-old, and letting me and my little brother, who was not even a year old at the time, taste cookie dough. I am grateful that you left behind your cook book for my mom. I have already tried baking many of your cookie recipes and I think you would be proud of how I’ve made them. I know that I will continue baking and keep your recipes alive.

I am so lucky that I got to know you even if it was for a short amount of time, I know that you are still with us and that you are watching over all of us from heaven. I love you more than I could ever say and I know that someday I will see you again.